On August 27, 2007, I received a letter from a listener, Carl Allegretti. I had remembered Carl’s first letter he had sent to me a year earlier. A work experience (not altogether pleasant) with a large accounting firm had given him perspective on many things and in his words “changed his life.” Carl wrote in August 2006:

I wanted to do something special for others and put my time into what I enjoy most…kids and sports. So I started a football and cheer program for kids, The Frankfort Falcons. I raised over $1,000,000 and personally contributed (quite a bit of my own money) and borrowed some more to buy equipment, uniforms and build them a stadium, stands, a concession stand, press box, underground sprinkler system and more. Today we have 400 football players and over 200 cheerleaders.

Now, if this story ended here, Carl would be a deserving recipient of our Celebration of Life Through Sports Award. He would be embarrassed, though, by the attention. “I’m not looking for anything. I love kids. I love sports and this is my definition of balance,” is how Carl often responds. However, as it is said so often during late night TV infomercials:

…but wait…there’s more!

A year after this first letter, this former college football player at Butler University and former chairman of The Illinois Special Olympics showed us all what celebrating life through sports really is.

Here is the second letter:

David,

I wrote you one year ago about the football program I established for the children of my hometown-Frankfort, IL. Since then, my life changed a little. On January 3, 2007, while on vacation in Florida we went to The Orange Bowl Game. My oldest son, Joey (14 years of age at the time) was having difficulty breathing. I took him to Miami Children’s Hospital at 2AM. By 6AM he was diagnosed with Leukemia.

At the time, Joey was the #1 ranked wrestler in the state of Illinois in the 215-pound weight class. Joey’s wrestling season was over, but his little brother, Nicky’s was not. Nicky, 11, dedicated his season to his brother and went out to the mats and finished his season undefeated and unscored upon. He was 41-0, State Champ and National Champ. (Joey and Nicky, along with Walter Payton’s son Jarrett, pictured left.)

But wait…there’s more!

Carl told me that Joey had finished his first round of chemo and was back on the football team and started his first game at center. Nicky was with him every step of the way and was even starting on his own football team. So, let’s take a look at the time line. It’s now late August of last year and Joey is in the first year of a three-year chemo treatment program for his leukemia, but he is committed to his family, committed to his athletics, and committed to God. This story does not end here.

Yes, don’t act now, because we’re also going to send you…

In a letter from one of Joey’s family members I learned that while there was pain in the hearts of his family as Joey embarked on this journey, Joey never complained once. He never complained about missing school (of course, who would.) He never complained about not being able to see his friends. He never complained about not being able to wrestle. He never complained about the chemotherapy. There was even a slogan for his battle: UR Strong JOEY!

And strong he remained. Two weeks ago Carl sent me another letter. This one defined who his sons are and defined strength, will and determination. Joey, while continuing his rounds of chemo, had trained and trained and built himself up to the 275-pound weight class. A year after having the opportunity to win a state title taken away by leukemia and subsequent treatment for leukemia, over the weekend of March 8-9, Joey won The Illinois State Wrestling Championship.

Call now…

One of his wrestling coaches wrote to Carl after the tournament:

Those private lessons I did with Joey last summer are some of the most special moments that I have had in any capacity. For as long as I live I will never forget holding his hands to pull him up. You probably didn’t see me last Saturday night, but I was one of the last people to leave the arena. I stood and looked down over the railing while you, Joey, Nicky and Tammy took photos with the teams. Joey and the trophy…I just wanted to enjoy the whole moment. From one Dad to another, I can’t express how enjoyable it was for me to see the smiles on everyone’s face because I still remember our conversations last year when I could feel the pain and concern in your voice. Carl, I couldn’t be prouder of Joey and happier to have been a part of his recovery and rebuilding process-this was about so much for than just trying to win a state wrestling title-it is about life and living!

Best…Sean Bormet

And what kind of guy is Joey? This is what he wrote to his family.

Dad, Mom, & Nicky,

Don’t think I forgot about you guys. You were my #1 fans, supporters, and friends throughout this past year.

Dad, you help me in many ways. No matter how horrible I was feeling, you got me up and moving to work out. You always kept me busy, whether it was a baseball game, basketball game, or just going out for a nice Saturday morning breakfast. You always believed in me, never thinking that I would do anything worse than first. Not once did you show signs of defeat, but you always had encouraging things to say to me. We took our share of bumps and bruises, but in the end it was all worth it. Thank you for everything you have done for me during the past 15 years of my life. Every lesson I’ve learned from you has contributed to my success in some way. For example: Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted. Matthew 23:12

This weekend I was humble coming in, but I was exalted in the end. You are the greatest Dad a kid could ever ask for, Thank You.

Mom, you are always there for me. No matter what things you need to get done around the house, you always stopped to attend to my needs when I was sick. You put me to sleep during nights that I can’t sleep, and you get me any food that I demand, the prednisone makes me both hungry and a little demanding. HAHA. You take me anywhere, always driving me to sports. You don’t mind the 45 minute drives to and from practice because you are doing it for the well being of your two kids. You always tell me that I could do anything if I had the confidence in myself. You are the best Mom a kid could ever ask for, Thank You.

Nick, “Alley Cat,” you are the best brother ever. You always put up with me, even when I am in the worst of moods. You always cheer me up when I see that smile on your face when you are eating. You always hang out with me when my friends are busy, or when we have nothing else to do. You are a great kid, and I would never ask for a better brother than you. I know that we fight sometimes, but what normal brothers don’t fight, especially ones that wrestle. Thank you for all of your love and support. I love all of you guys. Thank You all for everything. I wouldn’t have been on the top of that podium if it weren’t for you three.

This month’s Celebration of Life Through Sports Award could have just gone to Carl for his work with children outside of his family. It could have gone to Joey for his achievements and overcoming adversity with courage. The award could have gone to Nicky or Tammy. However, this month’s Celebration of Life Through Sports Award goes to the entire Allegretti Family.

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Each month we give an individual or a team or an organization The Celebration of Life Through Sports Award and YOU can nominate the recipient! Please make a comment and a nomination in the space below.